By Hannah Bell | jelloandwellness.com | Updated October 2026
To make pomegranate juice at home, remove the seeds (called arils), blend them for a second or two, just until the juice sacs burst, then strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. You need nothing but fresh pomegranates and a blender, and the whole job takes about 10 to 15 minutes, most of it spent seeding the fruit.
Fresh pomegranates are in stores from October through January, so now is the time to try it. This guide covers how to pick a good fruit, a mess-free way to seed it, the blender method step by step, what to do without a blender, how to store the juice, and how it compares with the bottled kind.
| Medical Disclaimer This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a health condition, speak with a licensed healthcare provider before changing your diet. |
What You Need
- Pomegranates: about 2 large ones for a first batch (see how much juice to expect below).
- A blender (a food processor or hand blender also works), or a citrus press, handheld juicer, or electric juicer.
- A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and a large bowl.
- An apron and a plastic cutting board. Pomegranate juice stains, and plastic is easier to clean than wood.
How to Pick a Ripe Pomegranate
Choose fruit that is mostly round and heavy for its size, with shiny, firm, unbroken skin. Skip any with cracks, bruises, or soft, wrinkly skin. Pomegranates are harvested from August to November and are often available fresh from October through January, according to Food Hero, the Oregon State University Extension nutrition program.
How to Seed a Pomegranate Without the Mess
The water method keeps the juice from spraying and makes the white membrane easy to separate. This is the method Food Hero describes:
- Rinse the pomegranate under running water.
- Fill a large bowl with about 4 inches of water.
- Cut a 2-inch circle around the crown (the flower-shaped end), just deep enough to cut through the skin, and remove that piece.
- Cut along the white membranes that divide the fruit into sections.
- Break the sections apart with your hands.
- Hold each section under the water and gently push out the arils with your thumbs. The arils sink and the white membranes float.
- Skim off the membranes and drain the arils.
How to Make Pomegranate Juice in a Blender
- Blend briefly. Put the arils in the blender and pulse for 1 to 2 seconds, just until the seeds burst. Blending longer makes the juice cloudy, bitter, and gritty.
- Strain. Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl, or line it with cheesecloth. Pour in the blended mixture and press with a spoon until the pulp is fairly dry. With cheesecloth, twist it into a sack and squeeze gently.
- Chill and serve. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour for the best flavor, then serve as is, over ice, or with a squeeze of lemon.
No Blender? Other Ways to Juice
A food processor or a hand blender in a tall cup works the same way as a blender: pulse briefly, then strain. A citrus press, handheld juicer, or electric juicer also works. You do not need a special juicer, and the blender method gives good results.
You can also skip the hand seeding: store-bought arils work in place of whole fruit.
How Much Juice Do You Get?
It depends on the size of the fruit and how hard you press. Recipes we checked differ: one reports about 1 cup of juice from 2 large pomegranates, while another gets 16 fluid ounces (2 cups) from 2 large ones. Start with 2 large pomegranates, and expect between 1 and 2 cups. If you want more, seed another fruit.
How to Store Pomegranate Juice
- Refrigerator: up to 5 days in a sealed glass jar or bottle (Food Hero). Some recipes recommend using it within 3 to 4 days for the best flavor.
- Freezer: freeze in airtight, labeled containers for up to a year. Ice cube trays are handy: leave room for expansion and add the cubes to sparkling water or smoothies.
- Whole pomegranates: up to a week at room temperature in a dark, dry place, or 2 to 3 months in the refrigerator in a container with airflow.
Fresh vs. Store-Bought Pomegranate Juice
Homemade juice has one ingredient: pomegranates. A bottled 100% juice can be different. For example, one store-brand 100% pomegranate juice lists pomegranate juice from concentrate (filtered water and pomegranate juice concentrate) plus natural flavors, and its label shows 160 calories and 40 g of sugars per 8 fluid ounces, all of it naturally occurring, with 0 g added sugars.
Homemade juice also has no added sugar, since its sugar comes from the fruit. I did not find a reliable per-cup nutrition figure for homemade juice, because it varies with the fruit and how much pulp you strain out, so I am not printing one. If you track sugar, check the label of any bottled juice and treat homemade juice as a fruit juice too.
Ways to Use Pomegranate Juice
- Pour over ice with a squeeze of lemon, or top it with sparkling water for a spritzer.
- Use 2 to 3 tablespoons as the natural pink color in our pink gelatin drink.
- Pair it with other tart, fruity drinks such as cold brew hibiscus tea, which tastes similar to cranberry or pomegranate juice.
- Whisk it into vinaigrettes, marinades, and glazes, or stir it into smoothies.
- Try a warm alternative: fresh ginger tea.
Troubleshooting
- Cloudy or bitter juice: you blended too long. Pulse for 1 to 2 seconds only.
- Gritty juice: strain again through cheesecloth or a double layer of fine mesh.
- Stains: wear an apron, use a plastic board, and seed the fruit underwater.
Pomegranate Juice Recipe
Print
Pomegranate Juice
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 to 2 cups 1x
Description
Fresh pomegranate juice made in a blender from just pomegranates. Seed the fruit, pulse the arils briefly, and strain for a smooth, ruby-red juice.
Ingredients
- 2 large pomegranates
- Lemon juice, ice, or sparkling water, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the pomegranates and seed them underwater: cut a 2-inch circle around the crown, cut along the white membranes, break the fruit into sections, and push out the arils with your thumbs. The arils sink and the membranes float.
- Skim off the membranes and drain the arils.
- Pulse the arils in a blender for 1 to 2 seconds, just until the seeds burst.
- Pour into a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth set over a bowl and press until the pulp is fairly dry.
- Chill for 30 to 60 minutes. Serve over ice, with a squeeze of lemon, or topped with sparkling water.
Notes
Yield varies with the size of the fruit and how hard you press. Pulse the arils for only 1 to 2 seconds to avoid bitter, cloudy juice. Refrigerate in a sealed glass jar for up to 5 days, or freeze in airtight containers or ice cube trays, leaving room for expansion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
Keywords: pomegranate juice, how to make pomegranate juice, fresh pomegranate juice, homemade pomegranate juice
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pomegranates do I need for a cup of juice?
It varies with the size of the fruit and how hard you press. Two large pomegranates give between about 1 and 2 cups of juice, so start with two and seed more if you need extra.
Do I need a juicer to make pomegranate juice?
No. A blender works well: pulse the arils for 1 to 2 seconds, then strain. A food processor, hand blender, citrus press, or electric juicer also works.
Can I use store-bought pomegranate arils?
Yes. Store-bought arils can replace whole fruit and save you the seeding step.
How long does fresh pomegranate juice keep?
Up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed glass jar or bottle. For the best flavor, many recipes suggest drinking it within 3 to 4 days.
Can I freeze pomegranate juice?
Yes. Freeze it in airtight, labeled containers for up to a year, or in ice cube trays, leaving room for the juice to expand.
Why is my pomegranate juice bitter or cloudy?
Usually the arils were blended too long. Pulse for only 1 to 2 seconds, just until the seeds burst, then strain well.
Sources
- Food Hero (Oregon State University Extension): Pomegranate (selection, season, seeding method, storage)
- Hungry Huy: How to Make Pomegranate Juice (blender method, straining)
- Delicious Meets Healthy: Pomegranate Juice (yield, tips, freezing)
- Nature’s Promise 100% Pomegranate Juice label as listed by Food Lion
About Hannah Bell
Hannah Bell is the founder of JelloAndWellness.com, a recipe and wellness site focused on gelatin, jello desserts, and everyday wellness drinks. She cites sources when discussing food and nutrition.